Free Online Family Friendly Game to Win Real Prizes Similar to TV Game Shows

Gaming

 

As a really busy mom blogger and social media strategist I don't have much time to play on the Internet for fun. But when I was asked to review a new game called Reel Cash Critters County Fair Slots on the Gamesville site for this blog I accepted the opportunity to check it out.

Using your GV Rewards earned by playing various free online games offered by Gamesville, Reel Cash Critters provides a virtual slot machine experience where you have lots of options on how many lines and how much per line to bet on the slot machine. An assortment of colorful fruits, yellow rubber ducks and other cute icons comprise the various images that you'll see rolling by on the screen each time you push the red spin button to play.

Screenshot of Reel Cash Critters Online Game
To enjoy this you need to make sure you have a strong network connection, Adobe Flash Player 10 or above and a 1024 x 768 screen resolution. Be patient when the game loads. Despite having the parameters mentioned above it took me six attempts before I was actually able to play the game and it  took my brand new Mac Mini almost five minutes on that last attempt to load the game the first time I actually got to play it. According to  Gamesville's help tab which I consulted when I received a CTHL error message, if anything breaks up the connection, like a network hiccup, that connection will be lost and you will experience a "CTHL" error.

Be assured though that playing the game, once it has uploaded properly, is easy. To start, first all I had to do was click the "play now" button.  Starting with the bank of 6000 accrued points I had, I tried various combinations of betting but after just 10 minutes was successful in losing all my virtual money and hitting Rock Bottom.

My personal experience hopefully will encourage you to bet more carefully than I did because just like in Las Vegas this one armed bandit can take everything you have very quickly. Have no fear, though, the good news is that if you get down to zero like I did, all you have to do is play more Gamesville games to earn the GVs to start playing again.

I didn't win a monetary prize when I tried out the game but Gamesville says that cash prizes will be awarded at random with a specific set of cash prize symbols having no relation to the GVs you've wagered. These real money awards are given in sums from $5 to $10 in $1 increments and if a cash prize is won, there is a pop-up notification alerting the winner.

I only skimmed the surface myself of Reel Cash Critters' potential because of limited time to test it out. However, for serious gamers with all the opportunities to compete and interact with other members of this online community, I imagine this can be really fun and could be habit forming.

Like a variety of other games Gamesville offers, you can play Reel Cash Critters County Fair Slots for free. With the Gold Membership option you can enjoy the added benefit of an ad-free experience. Another bonus of being a Gold Member is that you can visit the Gold Room every day for a chance to win a cash prize for GV rewards. In fact, today before I started playing the slots, I won 700 GV Rewards in the Gold Room. So I entered them all -- along with the 30,000 GV points I had in my account -- in this month's sweepstakes for a chance to win a Panasonic Lumix LX5 camera.

About Gamesville
Gamesville, offering a range of web-based games, is a popular destination for free online game shows that offer real prizes. On the site you'll learn that like TV and cable game shows, their games are free to play, prizes are given away and the fun is supported by sponsors. The difference between Gamesville and traditional TV game shows though, is that everyone has the opportunity to play to win real stuff.

FTC Disclosure:  This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a Gamesville Gold Membership and compensation for my time investment and work on this campaign. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Why Have Kids? A provocative look at parenting today by feminist author Jessica Valenti

Books




In her new book Why Have Kids? that went on sale September 4, author and high-profile feminist Jessica Valenti is very forward about wanting to stir up controversy and frustration that evolves into productive conversation on what it's like to be a modern day mother. She does this boldly, by broaching moral and logistical problems facing today's moms supported by interviews, research and personal experience.

Image provided by the book's publisher

Here Valenti offers an in-depth exposé of having children -- and the realities of its associated rewards, guilt and daily exhaustion -- bringing a discussion out into the open that most of us moms think that we have been alone in experiencing. Point blank, she says, the incompatibility of parents and our kids lifestyles today is hurting us both.

“The truth about parenting," says Valenti, "is that the reality of our lives needs to be enough. Seeking out an ideal that most of us can never reach is making us, and our kids, miserable.” 

Instead of focusing on the debate over breastfeeding, for example, the author suggests that what moms really need to do is create communities that can effect collective change in the motherhood status quo. Places that are supportive to all, rather than forming groups of judgment that don't work toward the common goal of every parent: to be happy.

In summary, Why Have Kids? doesn't mince words. Valenti describes the challenges and problems confronting modern parents in great detail and then provides a variety of solutions that can bring joy and satisfaction back into parenting.  

Why Have Kids? A New Mom Explores the Truth About Parenting and Happiness by Jessica Valenti, 208 pages (Amazon/New Harvest) is available in hardcover ISBN: 978-0-8050-9412-1 $23.00 and in digital format ASIN: B008L4KT6W for $9.99. For more information visit http://jessicavalenti.com and/or follow the author on Twitter

FTC Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark MediaThoughts are my own. I received a copy of Why Have Kids? and compensation for my time investment and work on this campaign. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Apple Honey Dish Rosh Hashana Craft

Celebrations


Happy Rosh Hashanah
to all my Jewish Family & Friends!

Apple Honey Dish Made With Fresh Apple


Kids and adults alike will enjoy making this edible food art craft which uses a real apple. This project is among my favorite Rosh Hashanah Arts & Crafts and it is the perfect way to add something special to your table to celebrate the Jewish New Year.


Rosh Hashana 
Apple Honey Dish 

DIY Food Art Craft


Your guests -- young and old will enjoy this whimsical take on the traditional honey dish -- and will no doubt be impressed with your artistic talent too. Just make sure you take a photo of your project when it's done so you'll be able to remember how pretty and fun it looked on your holiday table. 


How to Directions:


1. Select and wash a large apple in variety of your choice that is as symetrical as possible.
2. Carefully take a take a small 1/8-1/4" crosswise slice off the bottom so the apple will not easily tip over.
3. For the lid: Leaving the stem (and leaves if any are present) intact, carefully cut the apple crosswise 1/2-3/4" from the top edge. 
4. For the honey dish: Working gently use a small spoon to carve our the inside of the apple, removing small amounts at a time until the apple dish has been created. Try to keep at least a 1/4-1/2" thickness to the outside apple skin both on the sides and on the bottom so your honey dish will not leak.
5. Put apple dish in center of a small festive plate (I used an antique custard dish on pedestal). Pour honey into the dish along with adding a decorative spoon (the one I've used is ceramic). Place the lid on your honey dish gently. Bring your creation to the table and watch your guests' reaction to this easy but elegant presentation.
6. Serve with homemade challah or freshly cut sliced apples for a sweet start to the Jewish New Year. Refrigerate apple dish with lid on wrapped in plastic wrap when not it use and it should keep for 2-3 days.


Shana Tova 
Hebrew Translation: Have a Good New Year!
From my home to yours...



FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week With Prizes September 17 - 23

Twitter Parties





Updated 9/23/12

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead.



Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.


THIS WEEK


Monday, September 17

Capezio Love Ballet Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Hosts @SavvySassyMoms @MomTrends @Capezio. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 giftcards, TWO (2) $100 GCs, ONE (1) $150 GC and ONE (1) $250 GC. #CapezioLoveBallet RSVP


It's the Monday night #TMom Twitter Party 9 pm ET. Panelists @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @CindyRichards and @CarmelLeeMooney.  RSVP

Healthy Lunchboxes for Back to School Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Hosted by @mealplanmom @producekids @eatwholly with lots of prizes. #HealthyLunchboxes #twvt RSVP


Home Decor Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with hosts @ThriftyChicMom @GalleryDirect. Prizes: FIVE (5) winners get customized art valued at up to $200. RSVP



Tuesday, September 18

Disney Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3 Twitter Party hosted by @socialmoms at 7 pm ET. Prizes: TWENTY (20) $20 Amazon gift cards and a Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3 Blu-ray Combo Pack packages. #PapiSpeaks RSVP

Expo East Twitter Party at 7 pm ET hosted by @momsandbrands. Lots of prizes from natural and organic consumer product party sponsors #NaturalMoms #ExpoEast RSVP



Wednesday, September 19

Family Week Twitter Party at 11 am ET hosted by @emeals #emealsfw. Prizes include a variety of $10 gift cards from Toys R Us, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Dairy Queen, Dunkin' Donuts, and Amazon. RSVP

#BalanceRewards Twitter Party at 1 pm ET for a chat about how to save big. Hosted by @WisconsinMommy and @SimplyBeingMom with prizes: Walgreens gift cards given away every 15 minutes during the party. Grand Prize is $100 Walgreens GC. #cbias RSVP

#ItCanWait Twitter Party at 2 pm ET chatting about texting and driving with host @safetymom. Prizes: THREE (3) Samsung Exhilarate Smartphones from ATT. No RSVP  Details

Don't miss the #RiceKrispies How Do You Simplify Your Morning Routine Giveaway Twitter party at 2 pm ET by @TheMotherhood @CooperMunroe @EmilyMcKhann. Prizes: FIVE (5) Rice Krispies prize baskets. RSVP

#BingIt Twitter Party at 3 pm ET. Hosted by @MomCentralChat with @Bing and @JenniferJolly to talk about how online searching plays a role in your life. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Amazon gift codes will be given away during party plus TWO (2) $50 Amazon GCs will be given away for tweeting in advance.

Fun and prizes at the #PickyEaters Twitter Party at 7 pm ET hosted by @katieWorkman100. Prizes $20 in Driscoll's coupons and a copy of Katie Workman's The Mom 100 cookbook for 5 winners who answer  trivia questions correctly.  RSVP

Expo East Twitter Party at 7 pm ET hosted by @momsandbrands. Lots of prizes from natural and organic consumer product party sponsors #NaturalMoms #ExpoEast RSVP

If you are a cat lover you won't want to miss the #RedCarpetCat Emmy Awards Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET. Win SWAG every 10 minutes. Hosted by @Eventbarkers @TheTiniestTiger RSVP

Come to the #HuntsCravebox Twitter Party at 9 pm ET hosted by @Cravebox. Prizes every 10 minutes from the products in the Limited Edition Hunt's Delicious Dinners Cravebox; more specifics about prizes TBA RSVP 

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET.  Prize: THREE (3) $50 iTunes gift cards. Must RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.



Thursday, September 20 

Join @PGMyGive and @SheSpeaksUp for a Twitter Party at 3 pm ET in support of early breast cancer detection. Panelists include @MommyBlogExpert along with @Zipporahs @LisaSamples @StacieinAtlanta @HaveUheard1 @goodenufmother @MamaMaryShow Prizes: $1,000 in prizes. You could win the grand prize – a $200 gift card to spa of your choice. #GIVEHope RSVP


#CFSew @JoannStores Twitter Party hosted by @CraftFoxes at 7 pm EST. Great Prizes for home sewers: Grand Prize is a large box of premium fabrics from Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores. Other prizes include patterns, books and more fabric. RSVP

Expo East Twitter Party at 7 pm ET hosted by @momsandbrands. Lots of prizes from natural and organic consumer product party sponsors #NaturalMoms #ExpoEast RSVP

Blog Month Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ShaunGroves @ResourcefulMom @Compassion . Prizes include handmade product from Gussy Sews, Lisa Leonard jewelry creations and $25 gift certificate to Compassion International Gift Catalog.#CompassionBloggers RSVP

Playtex Baby Shower Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Playtexinf @MommyKatandKids @myweereview. Prizes: Feeding gift baskets, diaper gift baskets and Grand Prize which is a combination of both baskets. #PlaytexBabyShower RSVP

@ColdwaterCreek Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @audreymcllellan, great prizes No RSVP just use hashtags #coldwatercreek #fashion

#Nedtheneuron Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @KizoomLabs. Win prizes. No RSVP, use hashtag to join in.

#BloggyCon Twitter Party at 9 pm ET discussing fall projects during tailgating season. Hosted by @BloggyMoms @Homesdotcom @AptsforRent @CityChiconaFarm. Prizes: $25 giftcard and t-shirt. RSVP


Friday, September 21


Join the #theonlinemom #VZWBuzz @VerizonInsider for the weekly Twitter Party hosted by @theOnlineMom at 3 pm ET. Prizes TBA. To be eligible to win, participate in the party and RSVP

#Koosh Twitter Party at 3 pm ET hosted by @Resourcefulmom. Loads of Koosh Ball Launcher Prizes to be given away. RSVP

Hexbug Warriors Twitter Party at 8 pm ET hosted by @Hexbug @AFrugalFriend. Prizes: Hexbug Warriors Battle Arenas and Hexbug Warriors Battling Robots Single Packs. #HEXBUGWarriors RSVP



Sunday, September 23

It's time for the #BestNightEver Twitter Party at 5:30 pm ETTweets to answer any of the 6 questions asked by @juicystar007 and tagging @clearhair handle. TEN (10) Prizes: Each of 10 winners receives Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy shampoo signed by Heidi Klum and Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy conditioner  Info


Come to the @FabFitFun TJMaxx Marshalls Emmys Red Carpet Twitter Party at 7 pm ET. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Gift Cards. RSVP

#FizzorFlat Diet Pepsi Red Carpet Twitter Party at 7 pm ET. Hosts @WhitneyMWS @Glambr @StyleMom. Prizes: $50 Rent the Runway Gift Certificates. RSVP

#FizzorFlat with Diet Pepsi Awards Night Twitter Party at 8 pm ET. Hosts @VeraSweeney @Petit_Elefant @RomyRaves. Prizes: $100 SpaFinder Gift Certificates. RSVP

#ILoveFabellini Twitter Party with @Teresa_Giudice at 8 pm ETNo RSVP, #RHONJ 


NEXT WEEK


Monday, September 24

Come to the #MarvelAvengersWMT Twitter Party at 1 pm ET. Hosts @AgentM @tsue1136 They'll be talking about Super Heroes. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walmart giftcards. #CBias RSVP

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Twitter Party at 7 pm ET. Hosts @ShannonMiller96 @Srocf #GetRealWithTeal RSVP

Back to School Limited Edition @Cravebox Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with prizes from products in the Back to School Cravebox. #B2SCravebox RSVP


Tuesday, September 25

#ModernPonds Twitter Party at Noon ET hosted by One2One Network. Prizes. Stay tuned for more details & link to RSVP

#HeinzVinegar Twitter Party at 1 pm ET talking about tips for going green at home with @loveandcents @RebeccaEParsons @LizLongcrier. $250 worth of Walmart gift cards to be given away: TWO (2) $25 GCs, TWO (2) $50 GCs and Grand Prize $100 GC. RSVP

Gillette and Dollar General @MomitForward #gno #GroomHim Twitter Party at 9 pm ET.  Hosts @DollarGeneral @ProcterGamble @Gillette @MarcusGeeter. Prizes  TWO (2) Winners each receive a $250 Dollar General gift card and Venus & Gillette shaving products w/ approx value of $300. RSVP


Wednesday, September 26

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET.  Prize: TBA. Must RSVP
& participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.


Thursday, September 27

#DDFuelsCFL Dunkin' Donuts Twitter Party with @DDCentFla at 7 pm ET. Hosted by @JoscelynRC @Couponmamacita @MyMamihood. Prizes: $500 in giftcards via the new Dunkin' Donuts ap. RSVP

#DesignedforGood Twitter Party at 8 pm ET launching Rachel Minkoff for @BravadoDesigns limited edition nursing tank collection to benefit Baby Buggy. Host @Resourcefulmom. Prizes: THREE (3) winners will receive one of Rachel's new nursing tank designs. RSVP


Friday, September 28

Join the #theonlinemom #VZWBuzz @VerizonInsider for the weekly Twitter Party hosted by @theOnlineMom at 3 pm ET. Prizes TBA. To be eligible to win participate in the party and RSVP

#BFPR Twitter Party at 3 pm ET hosted by @BlogFriendlyPR with co-hosts @MommyJenna @AdrienneMazzone RSVP



COMING SOON

Wednesday, October 3

#PurplePurse Twitter Party at 7 pm ET hosted by @SocialMoms @clicktoempower @YWCAUSA to raise awareness about domestic violence month. Prizes: TWENTY (20) $20 Amazon gift cards  RSVP


Friday, October 5

#KmartHalloween Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Kmart and @theblogfrog


Wednesday, October 17

Simple Skincare Twitter Party at 12:30 pm ET hosted by One2One Network. Stay tuned for details and link to RSVP


Wednesday, October 24

Next @MonroeandMain Twitter Party.  Details available soon.




More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog. 


About this Weekly Twitter Party List Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message. 



Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Consulting Query in the subject line. 



FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Free Admission to LA Zoo 9/15 Celebrating Los Angeles Tillamook Loaf Love Tour Stop

Good Food
Plus FREE Tickets to L.A. Zoo on 9/15



Easy, fun & healthy DIY Kids treat Tillamook Cheese Shapes from Cookie Cutters
We've been Tillamook fans here at the Elspas household for years, having enjoyed the brand's products as well as taken the company's factory tour in Tillamook, Oregon with our kids. This cheese brand is usually on our weekly shopping list and I typically buy 4-6 bars at a time when shopping at the supermarket because I have four teens: triplets (15) and big brother (16) and they seem to always be eating. We keep kosher, so our go-to variety is always the Tillamook Kosher Medium Cheddar. We use it in so many recipes that they love to nosh on: Mazah Grilled Cheese, Macaroni & Cheese, homemade pizza and veggie tacos to name a few. 

When my children were younger, I even used cookie cutters to cut out Tillamook cheese shapes to pack in their lunch boxes and to serve as healthy snacks at home much like the cheese novelties you see pictured in this post above. With such a positive experience I'm particularly excited to announce that this weekend Southern California adults and kids can literally say cheese and eat it too when the Tillamook Loaf Love Tour rolls into the Los Angeles Zoo this Saturday.

My daughter's Macaroni & Cheese wouldn't look this good w/o Tillamook
As part of the celebration to share some loaf love with local L.A. residents, the Loaf Love Tour is treating the first 100 adults or children sporting their best bright Tillamook orange FREE admission to the Los Angeles Zoo located at Griffith Park starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 15. After the first eligible 100, all others that day wearing the company's flagship color will receive $1 off general zoo entry costs. Fans should look for the Tillamook Baby Loaf bus located in the parking lot outside the zoo's main gate to check-in and participate.

All it takes is another slice of Matza on top & you have Matza Grilled Cheese

Once inside the zoo, event-goers of all ages can taste a variety of Tillamook Cheeses, take pictures with the Loafy costumed character, join in zoo bingo, and lots more fun. As an added bonus attendees will have the chance to taste and take home yummy samples of Tillamook Yogurt, which is new to the Los Angeles area. 

Tillamook Loaf Love Tour Stop

A scene from last year's fun Loaf Love Tour, Image courtesy of Tillamook

At the Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027
Saturday, September 15th
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 


About Tillamook & the Loaf Love Tour
Tillamook is a 103-year-old, farmer-owned cooperative located in Tillamook, Oregon. The brand is well-known for its award-winning, naturally aged cheddars as well as offering other cheese varieties, ice cream, sour cream and yogurt products.
  
The current Loaf Love Tour is the third annual mobile sampling event dedicated to bringing tasty cheese to the public. In addition to offering free zoo admission here in L.A. for the first 100 eligible people and $1 off general zoo admission to every one else wearing Tillamook orange there will also be a number of company sponsored activities inside the zoo for everyone to enjoy.

The bright orange fleet of Loaf Love Tour mini buses can be seen rolling around the streets of L.A. from September 11th - September 29th at a variety of locations. Fans can find them making pit stops at assorted Southern California grocery stores and special events spreading the word about Tillamook products and offering samplings of the brand's Oregon-made cheeses. For more information and to sign up for cheese-filled news updates visit LoafLoveTour.com. To track all the festivities you can also follow Tillamook on Facebook and Twitter.


FTC Disclosure: Tillamook will be sending us product coupons to facilitate some more family taste and review projects at our house.  I did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.